The Jeep booth featured a waterfall with computer-controlled messaging using nearly 7,000 nozzles. The show opened for the press on Sunday January 4th and to the public on January 13th. Jeep unveiled three new vehicles, the Jeep Treo concept, the Jeep Rescue concept and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Designed for the most extreme situations and unforgiving conditions, the Jeep® Rescue concept is not only the ultimate type of search and rescue vehicle – it’s the ultimate execution of a Jeep off-road vehicle.

Combine legendary Jeep off-road capability with state-of-the-art search and rescue technology, the Jeep Rescue is designed to reach areas in the harshest, most daunting mountainous and desert areas.

“Jeep Rescue is the supreme trail search and research vehicle – one that only Jeep could build, “ said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Chrysler Group Design.

Classic Jeep Design Taken to An Exciting New Dimension and Extreme

Starting with a modern interpretation of the timeless, classic Jeep, the Rescue not only hints at a future design direction for a large Jeep – it builds on the rugged Jeep heritage to forge an exciting new dimension for the Jeep brand.

The Rescue can be configured to run almost totally “open” – with folding front windshield and a retractable backlite, a sliding glass sunroof in front, a fold-forward canvas roof in the rear, plus, all four doors are removable.

A Rugged Foundation

Featuring all-new body-on-frame construction with hydroformed frame rails and riding on an 80-inch wide chassis with 123-inch wheelbase and 37-inch tires, the Jeep Rescue is built for anything thrown its way. The front hydropneumatic suspension combines with the heavy-duty link-coil rear suspension to give the Rescue its solid footing on all terrain. The suspension has adjustable ride height and an additional 4-inch lift available for fording. The aforementioned 37-inch tires feature an MTR tread and run-flat capability, negating the need for a spare. On-board tire pressure control has the ability to “tune” tire pressures for maximum traction on all surfaces.

Unequalled Rescue Capability

Powered by a 325-hp (600 ft.-lbs. torque) Cummins Diesel and featuring seating for five, the Jeep Rescue’s primary mission is rescue capability, and its list of rescue and safety equipment is impressive:

White LEV lighting for long distance visual search and reduced power use

Folding seats in rear compartment of vehicle

Remote control winch – front and back

“The Jeep Rescue is Jeep capability taken to maximum extreme and that, being Jeep, is unmatchable,” said Creed. “It is everything the Jeep brand represents – in a vehicle equipped for unequalled search and rescue service.”

A vivid new interpretation of where the Jeep® brand could go in the future, the Jeep Treo exemplifies the idea of “fluid imagination” thinking in a stunning, unexpected package – a form and presence that challenges the brand’s traditional dimensions, but in the end, can still be viewed as authentically Jeep.The Treo is the next-generation, urban-active Jeep – one that will allow it to thrive in a city or campus environment, yet one that will easily take its owner to the trailhead. All of this adaptable with the ability to use the freedom of fuel cell technology.

Advanced, Efficient, Environmentally Accountable Propulsion

Treo’s forward-thinking design brief is matched by its equally forward-thinking alternative propulsion system. Imagined with an efficient, hydrogen fuel cell powering all four wheels via dual electric motors, the Treo is designed to operate in all conditions – while being sensitive and accountable to the environment.

A Bold New Jeep Signature

Treo – a name meaning “three” in various languages - comes from the concept’s unique 2 + 1 seating configuration, which can be changed to accommodate a 2 + gear scenario. The Treo’s “face” presents a bold new Jeep signature – despite the concept’s compact dimensions.

The Treo’s shape narrows front-to-back, and culminates in a dramatically tapered tail, which is augmented by twin, high-mounted spar wings that serve a triple functional role as running, brake and tail lamps, cooling air intakes and as the exterior mounting points for twin Jeep Rubicon bikes.

“Treo’s look is rugged and purposeful – a truly imaginative evolution of the Jeep ‘face’ with packaging that belies its compact dimensions. It has real presence in the flesh, on that grows more interesting every time you look at it – from every angle, “ said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Chrysler Group Design.

An advanced drive-by-wire system provides a fascinating functional detail to the Treo interior, which in turn allows for instant adaptability for either left- or right-hand drive. The steering column, pedals and instrumentation are all contained in one module – a single piece of sculpture that can be easily slid to either side of the car – which mounts to a one-piece structural beam (a second module contains the radio, GPS and HVAC controls in a touch screen that is removable). This unique functional design feature, combined with the added visibility provided by the Jeep see-through grille and its creative greenhouse design, contribute to the Treo’s roomy, airy interior – allowing it to take full advantage of natural and ambient light sources.

The overall effect of the Treo interior is one of spaciousness and usability. Future-tech materials mesh with tactile textures and surfaces, which results in an interior environment that’s bright, open and functional. The Treo’s rear seat can be folded to store more gear, although the front wheels from the exterior-mounted Jeep Rubicon bikes can be stored in the back without disturbing the rear passenger.

“Treo’s visionary vehicle packaging with its basic 2 + 1-seat configuration and built-in versatility lends itself to future Jeep activity seekers – at an entry-level price position. It is rugged and functional in genuine Jeep fashion, but its adaptability quotient is taken to the next level and beyond,” Creed said.

Go-anywhere, do-anything and now bring everything. The icon of the legendary Jeep® brand just got more versatile with 15 inches added to its overall length. The new 2004½ Jeep Wrangler Unlimited delivers 13 inches more cargo area and two inches more second row leg room, while maintaining the unmatched open-air fun and 4x4 capability of the original Jeep Wrangler. The legend grows.

“We hear time and time again that owners don’t want us to change a thing on their Jeep vehicles. But there is also a smaller group of Jeep owners who told us they would love a Jeep Wrangler, but needed more space for their lifestyle,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President – Chrysler/Jeep Marketing, Chrysler Group. “We set out to create a longer wheelbase Wrangler that could give those customers what they really wanted, while maintaining the true fun and freedom of the original Jeep Wrangler.”

It Adds Up To More Versatility, Capability and Comfort

While maintaining its legendary 4x4 Jeep capability, the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offers more refined, on-road comfort and quietness because of its longer 103-inch wheelbase, which includes an additional 10 inches compared to the original Wrangler.

The versatility and functionality is increased with the additional 13 inches in space behind the second row, giving the Wrangler Unlimited double the amount of cargo capacity. The additional two inches in the second row provides more leg and knee room for passengers. Access to the second row is also improved with tip and slide front seats added to the driver’s side.

In addition to the more refined ride, the longer wheelbase contributes to the Wrangler Unlimited’s best-in-segment towing capability of 3500 lbs., which is 1500 lbs. more than the standard Wrangler.

“We set out to create more space for cargo and passengers, but the increase in wheelbase also improves the on-road ride and towing capability of the Wrangler Unlimited,” said Jaci Woody, Executive Engineer, Jeep Special Programs Engineering. “The added space broadens the appeal of the Wrangler Unlimited to customers who appreciate space and additional towing capability without compromising the character of the Wrangler.”

Legendary Jeep 4x4 Capability

The Jeep Special Program Engineering team that created the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited was careful to protect the legendary 4x4 capability that Jeep Wrangler owners want and expect. How much was the right amount to lengthen the Jeep Wrangler?

Even with the additional wheelbase length and increase in rear overhang, the Wrangler Unlimited was designed to maintain the 20 degree breakover angle minimum guideline for off-road driving. In addition, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is also Trail Rated.

“The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited stays true to the legendary capability that has made the Wrangler the icon of the brand,” said Woody. “The additional 15 inches provided the right balance to add more second row seating comfort and cargo without compromising the Jeep 4x4 capability.”

The 2004.5 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited features as standard equipment the 4.0-liter PowerTech™ I-6 mated to the 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission. The 4.0-liter engine is rated at 190 horsepower (142 kW) at 4,600 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 Nm) of torque at 3,200 rpm.

Staying true to its heritage, the new Wrangler Unlimited adds another option to open-air fun with an innovative new Sunrider™ soft-top, which includes a “sun roof” feature in addition to the full top-down option. This new soft-top gives a second open-air option by folding the soft-top back completely over driver and front passenger to create a 45x23 inch sun roof opening -- larger than any typical glass sun roof. The sun roof can also be operated from the inside of the Wrangler Unlimited, once the vehicle is stopped.

The Sunrider™ soft-top includes larger, deep-tinted side windows, giving second row passengers a better view outside. The Wrangler Unlimited is also available with a new hard top with added strength and larger, deep-tinted rear windows, as well as rear defroster and back glass wiper and washer.

Standard features on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited are full-steel doors with deep tinted windows, Sunrider™ soft-top, padded Sport Bar, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo radio with CD, easy access tip and slide front seats, fold and tumble rear seat, front and rear floor mats, next generation air bags and power steering.